Holy Trinity Parish Chllreh Aghalee Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparlng their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective l January 2019). OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and Activities The charitable purpose of the Church of Ireland is the advancement of religion. The principal function of Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee is to support the advancement of the Christian religion. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering pastoral care and support to those needing help are fundamental to the practical delivery of the benefits of Christianity. As a result of activity in the pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee has custody of certain property, records, materials and artefacts which are of significance to the cultural and religious heritage of the whole community. The maintenance of these is undertaken by the select vestry of Holy Trinity, Aghalee. Compliance with Public benefit The Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered into during the year have helped to achieve the parish's objectives and activities, as well as providing public benefit. Page I
Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 Deeember 2023 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE Charitable activities The church cherishes its motto Creating and sustaining Christians" and has spent the last year working towards its continuing commitment to deliver on this motto. Under th¢ leadership and pastoral care of the Rector, and with the active participation of a good number of volunteers, the parish continues to carry forward the Christian outreach and pastoral ministry required to sustain a rural parish. During the early part of the year, services were held in the church hall due to ongoing restoration work to the church building. However, on completion of the restoration work, services in the church resumed from late March. Occasional special services were held to mark the major Christian festivals etc. Easter Sunday (95). Harvest Thanksgiving (202); Remembrance Sunday (110)" Chrlstmas Carol Service (102) and Christmas EvelDay (70). Throughout the year. the parish maintained an online presence - developing better use of the parish Facebook page (@Aghal¢eParish) and Youtube channel. Sunday services were streamed on the parish Youtube channel (average -70 weekly viewers). The parish maintains artefacts, materials and historic buildings for the benefit of the public and in particular for those appreciative of longstanding Christian heritage. Access to Church buildings is restricted for public safety reasons - however, visitors can access the church by arrangement, when they will be accompanied by a member of the parish. Access to historical church records can be provided to any member of the public requiring inforniation for research and genealogical purposes. Heritage Project= Throughout the year. the parish continued the work of our Heritage Development Project involving major restoration work to Holy Trinity Church and promotion of the heritage of the parish, along with its links to the Lagan Navigation and nearby hamlet of Soldierstown. Aghalee Parish Heritage Project is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund who have made a grant of £185,400 available to part-fund this project. The Trustees would like to acknowledge the funding received during the year ended 31 December 2023 of £51,050 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will make possible the completion of the delivery stage of this project. The restoration work to the church building was largely completed by March 2023, pending a settlement period. The contractor was J.S. Dunlop Construction Ltd. and the architect/proj¢ct supervisor is Leighton Johnston Associates. A service of rededication was held on Passion Sunday, 26th March 2023. at which gifts of choir books, communion linens, pulpit & lectern falls were presented. On I st July. a special music event was held to mark the centenary of the church organ. 13 organists played during the cours¢ of the day and around 250 visitors called in to listen. The organ was originally dedicated to those members who 5¢rved or lost their lives in the Great War. so information about the 'Soldiers of Soldierstown, was also put on display. Page 2
Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 In September, a series of leaflets was produced, detailing the heritage of Holy Trinity Church, the Lagan Navigation and the hamlet of Soldierstown. Also, in September the parish took part in the European Heritage Open Days. On October 13th - 15th, a 3-day H¢ritag¢ Festival was held - being officially opened by Dame Mary Peters. Floral displays in the church depicted various aspects of parish heritage. a costume pageant told the story of our history from pre-christian times. and the minor hall was transformed into a heritage cafe. Approximately 1,250 people attended during the course of the Festival. In December, a 112-page book entitled 'Soldi¢rs, Sailors, Saints and Spinners, was published, telling the story of our parish and heritage. The book was designed by Jo-Ann Smyth (Evolution Graphics) and printed by Print-It (Moira). Also in December, a new parish website was launched enabling us to share details of our heritage and parish activities. The web-developer was Jonathan Higgins (ConceptNI)- The website can be viewed at.. www.aghalee.dromore.anglican.org Throughout the year, a series of Heritage Talks was held on the following subjects.. Professor Brian Walker. 'Our Holy Heritage, (the church history of Aghalee parish) Mr Simon Walker, 'A Caroline Church, (church architecture of the Caroline period) Dr Ciaran Toal, 'Lagan & Linen, (the linen industry of the Lagan Valley). Our parish organisations are open to all-comers. In particular, the Mums & Tots, GFS. CLB and Bowling Club usually have many members who are not parishioners. and we are delighted to welcome everyone. Parish organisations are: 'Jigsaw' Sunday School - usually meets during service-time each Sunday; although has not yet fully resumed following the pandemic. The Parish Choir contributes to the worship of the church and offers members a chance to build friendsliip and enjoy singing together. Practice evenings are held frequently on Thursday evenings. and as needed for special occasions such as Easter, Harvest, Remembrance Sunday and Christma5 services. Soldierstoivn Tots Group= usually meets on a Monday morning in the parish youth-hall. It welcomes children of pre-school age along with their mums (dads, grannies, grandads, carers - are all w¢lcomel) Some members, who had no previous connection to the church, have found this a very welcorning and engaging group. By nature of the group, attendance fluctuates - but it welcomes from 6-12 children each week. Girls, Friendly Society - usually meets on Monday evenings between September and April. The current enrolrnent is -25 drawn from both parishioners and non-members. There are 7 volunteer leaders who are enthusiastic and encouraging for the girls. The GFS girls also participate in various activities and competitions at Diocesan level. Church Lads, Brigade - also meets on Monday evenings between Septemb¢r and April. CLB has a membership of -15 - both parishioners and non-members. The boys enjoy a great variety of activities and outings. Page 3
Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 A relaxed, small-scale Parents Evening was held in April - the first time GFS I CLB had been able to do so since the start of the pandemic. Mothers, Union - is a long-standing organisation within the parish and has -12 regular members. M.U. meets occasionally on the 2nd Tuesday of the month - members enjoy regular outings, Diocesan events, and the chance to meet with other M.U. branches. M.U. actively supports the Women's Refuge Centre by organising a collection of toiletries etc. Ladies Fellowship usually meets on the 3rd Tuesday evening of each month. The program of activities is progressive and imaginative and engages regularly with around 15-20 attendees. Ladies Fellowship is open to all. including those from beyond the church family. Men's Group was establlshed as a new venture, beginning in September 2023, to build friendship and fellowship amongst the men of the parish - meeting on the last Wednesday morning of each Month. with a program of visiting speakers. Soldierstown Bowling Club: competes in the Lisburn & District Indoor Bowling League. Home matches and friendly / practice evenings are held on Wednesday evenings in the church hall. The club welcomes all bowlers. Midweek Fellowship l Bible Study Group.. Usually meets on Wednesday evenings in the Parochial Hall. Aghalee. It is for those who wish to explore and share the Christian faith with others, in a friendly, welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. Also - Sunday Morning "Cup of Tea" usually allows servlce-goers to meet up before the services to chat in an informal setting. FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial review The income for the parish from various sources was £192,542 with payments of £192.823 giving a deficit of £281. The bank and cash balances as at 31 December 2023 were £132,733 (of this balance £44,271 were unrestrict¢d funds, £88,462 restricted funds and £Nil endowment funds). It is the Trustees, policy to hold sufficient reserves to cover unexpected emergencies and have adequate funds for matntenance of church property and to further the objectives and activities of the parish. Going concern The Trustees have reviewed the budgets for the year ahead and are satisfied that there are adequate funds in place to ensure the parish can continue its activities and the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2023 can be signed off as a going concern. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity Aghalee Parish is governed and managed in accordance with the Constitution of the Church of Ireland and the Diocesan Regulations of the Diocese of Down & Dromore. Page 4
Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Reeruitment and appointment of trustees The Trustees of Aghalee Parlsh are the members of the Select Vestry. Chapter III of the Constitution of th¢ Church of Ireland governs Parishes and Parochial Organisations. All members of the Church of Ireland who are over the age of18 and are either resident within the parish or live elsewhere but have been accustomed members of the congregation for at least three months, may register as members of the General Vestry of the parish, allowing them to attend and vote at meetings of the General Vestry and to stand for election to the Select Vesty. Meetings of the General Vesty are held (at least) annually within three weeks of Easter. Members of the Select Vestry are elected at the Annual General Vestry meeting and hold their positions for a period of one year. Select Vestry members may be re-elected annually and there is no limit on the number of terms which may be served. Organisational structure Tlie Select Vestry has been responsible for the day to day management of the parish. The Select Vestry consisted of the Rector, the churchwardens, the glebe-wardens and twelve other members of the general vestry elected at the Annual General Vestry meeting. The Select Vestry is chaired by the Rector. The Select Vesty has been responsible in the period for making decisions on matters of general concern and importance to the parish including deciding how the parish funds have been allocated. The Select Vestry met 8 times in the period and the average attendance was 12. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Report and the statement of receipts and payments and assets and liabilities in accordance with applicable law and regulations. The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland with Income of less than £250.000 requires the trustees to prepare a statement of receipts and payments and a statement of assets and liabilities for each financial year. The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the parish's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the assets and liabilities of the parish. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the parish and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 101581 Principal addre55 Clo Miss Elizabeth Reid 15 Broadwater Park, Aghalee Craigavon Co. Armagh BT67 OEW Page 5
Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Trustees Mrs Irene Culbert Mr Larry Donaghey Mrs Sheila Duncan (resigned 18.4.23) Mrs Helen Laird (resigned 18.4.23) Mr Donald Frazer Mr Roy Hanna Mrs Jennifer Martin Rev Paul McAdam Mr Jim McLorn {dece&sed 23.2.23) Mrs Jacqueline Montgomery Mr Stephen Montgomery Mr Gavin Murray Mr Noel Murray Mr David Twigg Mr John Watson Mr Norman McAlister Mrs Sylvia Thompson Mr Tom Bradley (appointed 18.4.23) Mrs Joy Frazer (appointed 18.4.23) Ms Elizabeth Reid (appointed 18.4.23) Independent Examiner John Mccleary FCA Mccleary & Company Ltd Chartered Accountants Garvey Studios 14 Longstone Street Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 ITP Bankers Danske Bank Office-Bearers Rector: Rev Paul McAdam Churchwardens.. Mrs. Joy Frazer Mr. John Watson Glebe-wardens.. Mr. Noel Murray Mr. Donald Frazer S¢cretary: Mr. Norman McAlister Treasurer: Miss Elizabeth Reid Page 6
Holy Trinity Parish Church Aghalee Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2023 Approved by order of the board of trustees on 5 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Rev Paul McAdam - Trustee Page 7